Monday, May 25, 2009

I was studying about some people who were airlifted from Ethiopia to Israel.They remembered they were part of the Tribes of Israel, and did the best the could to stay connected to their religious practices. When they arrived in Israel, the people there question if these Ethiopian families were "Jewish Enough." One of the things this group of people did was to add an extra festival to their worship. It was called the "Festival of Drums." Somehow, that celebration caught my imaginationand I wondered how it might have been, this "Festival of Drums." I'll keep looking for an "official" document, but in the meantime, today I heard two terrific groups"Raw Earth" and , Joia.

It might not have been Ethiopian OR Jewish - But, it was great, percussive, joyous and holy.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that which he exercises over himself. -- Elie Wiesel

As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it. -- Mahatma Gandhi

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. -- Confucius

Wednesday Mornings I try to arrive in Saint Louis Hills early enough for a cuppa and a stroll -this is from a beautiful front yard along the way. Usually there are two tri-color collies, but last week they weren't outside (too bad for me, I enjoy their good morning barking.)

It's always good to think "Impossible Things" on the way to story time. (giggle, it seems I'm never too far removed from Alice and her Wonderful Adventures.)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Sunday, May 17, 2009

When you love you should not say"God is in my heart," but rather,"I am in the heart of God."

And think not you can direct the course of love,for Love, if it finds you worthy,directs your course.

While cleaning this quote found me. It's from Kahlil Gibran, "On Love,"

It was read for a couple on Valentine's Day. Their friends and family all gathered in a Garden House and heard, perhaps for the first time, vows offered to celebrate equality, friendship, strong bonds and support, instead of servitude and ownership - the "old chattel model." I am beginning to believe that Love will, indeed have It's Way. Wasn't it Gandhi who said, "it may seem for a time . . . . but, Love Always Wins" . . ???"

Monday, May 11, 2009

Today is the day to celebrate Shimon Bar Yochai (Simon, son of Yochai.) I have shared so many stories about him in the last few years, you would think we were related. I admire him for a lot of reasons. One of the things he managed to do is compile a body of work we call "The Zohar" (book of Splendor.) That's the basic course of study that inspired most of the metaphysics common in our philosophy. Pretty Amazing.Even more amazing when you remember he was in hiding for much of his adult life. Shimon Bar Yohai lived in the second century (common era.)He was a Jewish teacher, prophet and one of the voices against Roman Rule. I am not the sort of person who can share much about politics - but, here is something I can understand.

There was once a huge Prophet School with thousands of students. Almost everyone in this special school was wiped out. The beloved teacher managed to survive and eventually found five students to teach, one of them was Shimon Bar Yohai. It became natural to speak out against the slaughter.

Something else seems important to me. This darkness, this evil, caused Greater Light to enter the world. We should thank the enemies of Light in the world. Because of darkness, we search for the Light. Because of darkness, the Light seems even Brighter. Because of Darkness we become more than we would have ever thought to be.

So, Shimon Bar Yochai traveled extensively (staying ahead of his enemies) and studied with any scholar he knew about. He hid in a cave for many years, because he needed to hide from the enemy, BUT the massive work of saving the teachings happened during that time. Shimon Bar Yochai had a fiery temperament, by the time he emerged from his hiding place, he was a fulfilled realized spiritual presence who could spend the rest of his years in the sun, sharing Truth with his friends.

On the day of his passing, the sun continued to shine until he had traveled from this world to the next.

Today is the celebration of Shimon Bar Yochai's terrific gift to the world. Of course, many of us have been celebrating for a couple of days. Tonight there will be candles and fires lit in remembrance. Songs will be sung and stories told.

I think I want to remember two things this morning.One, that if our enemies knew that Brilliance occurs from their attacks, they would back away and leave us be. Without the pressure, we might be satisfied and not find our higher best.

Two, Shimon Bar Yochai wished he could be better recognized. He was told it should be enough for him that God, his teacher and one other person recognized his work. Perhaps being famous is an impediment. Maybe doing what is right, keeping it between us & God, is more than enough.

Oh, the picture? It's a photo of the place Shimon Bar Yochai and his friends studied together.He ended up with a close group of friends. Together they studied, prayed, shared, healed, sang, and, even though he never knew it - they all went on to change so many hearts that I am here today, in the 21st Century, sharing with you. I'll be joining in the songs and stories around a campfire this evening.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Abraham Lincoln's mother was famed for never saying anything bad about anyone. In trying to catch her one day,a group ofpeople said,"You'll never be able to say anything good about the devil!" She smiled and said, "You must admit, he does his job well."

Saturday, May 09, 2009

The rose?It's just here because I like it.I have some rose bushes right outside my window.Well, one of my windows.I guess they were planted to make the house look more invitingsince it (the house) was for sale when i first saw it.My neighbors are landscape experts.At least they say they are. They have rock landscaping.Whatever.The first evening they noticed me, they leaned over the fence and told methese roses will never bloom. This yard is too shady. Maybe.I have lots of beauty all around here.Shady or not.AND, there are hundreds of roses on these massive bushes -every year.

There is a thought swirling around my head this morning.The children have finished school and head out for summer adventures.Won't they look different when they return in the fall?Haven't we traveled together, learning wonderful things?

Our books suggest we enter the "Wilderness."I suppose to some that sounds like the beginning of a ghost story, hm?

I suggest, it's the time we get to try out,remember,put into practicethe things we have learned.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Wow! So many things are shiftingchangingI'm from California but, until recently I never considered myself a surfer.We all learned to "body surf" in summer when we were kidsand how to sled in winterLately events have taught me there's Spirit Surfing, too.

This morning I walked out to check the baby tree.When I moved in, it had already planted itself in a big pot that someone had left behind during their moving process. It was just a tiny thing. Last fall it was so big I figured it was time to give it some real earth. Out of the pot, into this swirling blue marble of a planet we share. Look at it this morning!!! Almost as tall as me.

I wonder what it all seemed like to the beautiful baby tree.Did it trust?Was it scared?Does it have those kind of qualities in it's composition as living entity?

I don't suppose trees know much about surfing,although this one did surf, in a way, across the yard, out of a pot, into the ground.

I worried over it through fall and winter.Looked like it went into shock, leaves blacked and fell off.It's doing good now.

Suppose it will be the same for me.ANDIf it will for meWill for you, too

Because, when something Good happens - it happens for Everyone.

"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."(Proverbs 29:11)

Thursday, May 07, 2009

She doesn't like having her picture taken. She's only about 80 pounds. if i know someone is a "dog person" I joke and tell them she is a "teacup newfie." There isn't such a thing, it's a joke.

We were introduced right after Budmire went to heaven. The people taking care of her hoped beyond hope that we would like each other. She had been rescued from her past, but then she had so many issues that they were finding it impossible to place her in a forever home. They thought, perhaps I was her last hope.

So, they call her a rescue dog. But I often wonder who was saved. Who exactly was rescued. She certainly came to keep me from having a broken heart.

She worked in an office with me when I was earning tuition money. So, we insist she is "Professional." Sometimes i call her "Rehearsal Dog"because she waits patiently while we run tunes.

She was a real trouper last night because there was a house full of musicians and instruments. She made each person feel right at home. She learned the full range of a trombone and did not flinch, showed no fear. (A room full of horns and she did not howl.) So, she has now graduated to full tilt rehearsals. pretty amazing.

I sing to her all the time. Everyone who knows her knows how to sing her name and proclaim"She is a lovely girl."

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

My foster father was surprised to see she wasn't multi-colored.He knows I love spotted, multi-colored creatures AND the name suggested exactly that to him.My dad preferred the licorice jelly beans. That's where this feline got her name.She isn't really mine, although we live together.My border collie, Budmire, adopted her.He spotted her roaming about the neighborhood, when we lived on "The Hill" and asked if he could have her. I told him, if he could catch her, he could keep her. That dog flirted with the feral cat for weeks. One day she just walked through the door. So, she was Bud's cat. He went home to God so, now she hangs with me. We are both at a loss - it's hard to know what to do with yourself when your border collie moves on.

We have a companion that keeps me from having a broken heart.But, Jelly Bean insists she is "top dog." She comes when I call, much faster than the canine living with us. She fetches, she guards . . . this cat insists she is all I really need.

I can't imagine who spoiled her.Surely Buddy was a better wrangler than I'll ever be.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

This is Graph, short for Graphite, I think. he looks sweet, (in fact, he really is a good cat)BUT,he would like you to believe he is tough,that he could catch any kind of wild creature, and he would like to convince you he would tear you to pieces. (giggle)

Monday, May 04, 2009

Friday, May 01, 2009

As you can see - I have the camera out - handy - so I can show you what I'm talking about. I'm not good at remembering all the time . . but - I sure felt silly when I went to the Gardens and had to rely on their website to tell you about the new installation. Especially when Melissa was generous to make sure i was armed and ready for travel - with the coolest little camera.

This morning i got a ride into Kirkwood early. went to the PO Box, then into Clayton. The bus to start the journey only comes by once an hour, so that early morning lift saved lots of time. Although, i have to admit I get a lot of reading done in transit. Yesterday AND today I managed all my excursions before the rain arrived - or, should i say, in between the storms. When I got home this morning I heard the newscaster say there would be strong thunderstorms in a little while and . . well, who knows why? My response was that I needed to take a picture of the Azalea Bush before the storm. So, there you are and there you have it. In my back yard, there is a beautiful, blooming Azalea bush . . . and, here it is, right before the storm.

I can almost hear you asking what I was reading.(giggle)I'm finishing up "Learning to Bow" by Bruce Feiler.